Cost of Living in United States
Moderate cost of living at 56.3 vs NYC's 100 — neither cheap nor expensive by global standards. Data refreshed April 2026.
Monthly Budget in United States
All prices in USD. Single-person urban lifestyle. Sourced from Numbeo 2026 country rankings.
Minimal
Suburb rent, home-cooked meals, no dining out
Sample
City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo, full utilities
Comfortable
City rent, dining out 25×/mo, extras
Line-item breakdown (single person)
Rent 1-bedroom, city centre | $1,850 |
Rent 1-bedroom, outside centre | $1,450 |
Groceries (monthly basket) | $410 |
Mid-range restaurant meal (per person) | $22 |
Public transit pass (monthly) | $80 |
Basic utilities (85m² apartment) | $195 |
How Much Salary Do I Need in United States?
Purchasing-power-adjusted equivalents: if you earn X in the US, you’d need roughly Y in United States to maintain the same lifestyle.
| US net salary | Equivalent in United States | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $50,000 | 0% more needed |
| $75,000/yr | $75,000 | 0% more needed |
| $100,000/yr | $100,000 | 0% more needed |
These are NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Your gross salary target will differ based on United States's tax regime — see our salary comparison pages for full tax-adjusted numbers.
How Does United States Compare to Other Countries?
United States vs major reference countries. Lower COL+Rent = cheaper.
Related Tools for United States
Combine cost of living with salary and tax data for the full picture.
Salary After Tax in United States
See net take-home pay in USD using 2025 tax brackets.
United Kingdom vs United States salary
Side-by-side take-home pay + cost-of-living overlay.
Canada vs United States salary
Side-by-side take-home pay + cost-of-living overlay.
Australia vs United States salary
Side-by-side take-home pay + cost-of-living overlay.
Frequently Asked Questions about United States Cost of Living
How much does it cost to live in United States per month?
A single-person moderate urban lifestyle in United States costs roughly $2,865/month: rent $1,850 (city) or $1,450 (outside city), groceries $410, utilities $195, transit pass $80, and ~15 mid-range restaurant meals at $22 each. A minimal budget is around $2,135, while a comfortable lifestyle runs ~$3,207.
Is United States expensive to live in?
United States sits at 56.3 on the combined Cost of Living + Rent Index (NYC = 100), making it moderate by global standards. Moderate cost of living at 56.3 vs NYC's 100 — neither cheap nor expensive by global standards.
How much salary do I need to live comfortably in United States?
To cover a comfortable lifestyle in United States (~$3,207/month), you need roughly $38,484 in net annual income. Add 20–25% for income tax and social security in most jurisdictions, so a gross salary of around $50,029 to $57,726 should be comfortable depending on the tax regime.
What is the average rent in United States?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre in United States averages $1,850/month. Outside the city centre, the same apartment averages $1,450/month — a 22% savings for moving just outside the core. Shared housing and suburb-commuter lifestyles can reduce rent further.
How does United States's cost of living compare to the US?
United States is about the same cost than the United States overall. A $70,000 US net salary would only need to be approximately $70,000 in United States to match purchasing power.